MIND YOUR BUSINESS & KEEP your business to YOURSELF. - You need to be VERY mindful of what you tell your co-workers about your life. Especially if you a young, attractive black women. You tell them you are tired and they turn into "Sally was partying last night...she such a party animal". This especially happens when all of your yt counter parts are spending their evenings attending their kids softball games and watching Dora the Explorer. Everything you say about your personal life will be blown out of proportion.

Show Accountability and hold others accountable

GET EVERYTHING IN WRITING. - This is a MUST. And if you have a conference call, RECORD IT. There is an option of every corporate conference call to press conference record or playback feature. -

inquire about additional training that can take you to the next level - you need to ALWAYS be thinking about your next move. Even it ifs outside of your current company. Its call "self-promotion". Find out what certifications/advanced degrees are needed to move forward in your career and GET THEM....

RULE OF THUMB- if you have been at your company for 5 years and they have not promoted you, you will not get promoted. Refer back to my statement about "self-promotion"....you may not get the manager position at your present company but you may be able to get it at another.

remain professional but personable, well kept, courteous, reliable... - you may not want to take my advice on this one but I do NOT laugh at raunchy/"cheeky" jokes in team meetings. Even if it is the most hilarious thing I've heard all day....to me, when you laugh it sends a signal to everyone in the room that they can now tell you a raunchy joke as well(and just may be about YOU).

I'd also like to add...you need to know your personality. If you really want to manage people, really take time to understand what that entails. There are other ways to make the same money as high level executives without all the other bs that comes with. The corner office may look nice, but it always comes with a price...whether its time away from your family, stress that could affect your health or just the political bs of corporate america.

And I forgot you mentioned it...but please dress professionally. I don't care if its a causal work environment or not. If you look like a slacker.,..they will immediately size you up as that and treat you accordingly.

I dunno. I don't have that problem. I do think some women try too hard and end up being bittchy instead of respectfully authoritative and effective. I've seen too many examples of women going overboard and end up being disliked or ridiculed. The best female boss I've had was one whose mannerism was like a man's. Literally, right down to the tweed pants, low base voice, cropped cutSorry I couldnt be more helpful

Odds are that as a person (especially a woman) of color, people are already looking. Make sure there is something to see.

First and foremost: think of ways to add value to the company. That is why you are employed. ONLY to add value to the company. There may be natural ways to go above the call of your work if it will add greater value. IE keeping up with the national/global trends that relate to your industry. Seeking out conferences to attend.

Sadly, sometimes the visual can go further than the work you did. Its
what people remember, and adds to their impression of you therefore the
impression of what you can do. Ie, taking notes during meetings.

Arrive and leave ON TIME. In many fields, if you focus and do what you need to do, you can knock it out between 9-5. If you are staying late, make sure its not for something that you COULD have done during the day. That doesn't get you extra points. It makes it seem as if you can't manage your time well.

IA with everyone who said dress professionally. Just because everyone else may take liberties with the interpretation of the dress code, make sure you are on the upper end of whatever that code is. People notice. Ladies, your makeup does not need to be heavy to be professional. I personally wouldn't recommend a bare face. Also, whether natural/relaxed/weaved/whatever keep your hair neat.

This might be another thread but how do you stellar women excel in your workplace without feeling like you're being used or getting drained?? I just got hired at my job but I don't have access to everything just yet, but I noticed that there are 3 people, all women, who do everything and everybody else just fs around all day. One of them told me not to do too much bc they will see that and ease up on their own work.

I agree with all these tips....especially keep written documentation....send emails and never rely on verbal conversations...when the sh*tz goes down...your same supervisor will say...he did not tell you that...supervisors tend to stick together...Document everything....examples

1 - Per our conversation, my part of the project is SYX, Jane will do JKL, the due date is October 20th.

you don't want your sexy clothes, your long weaves, or flashy makeup to overshadow your work or be the main topic of conversation...I never forget I was in a meeting and this white manager asked this black girl about her weave....

don't mistake white people's professionalize as true friendship..

Even if you have a black supervisor, don't think they are going to defend YOU...or go out their way to promote you or help you. My worst supervisors have been black.

don't tell any negative things about your personal life...they not telling you their kid on heroin.

always lock your desk

don't take or make many personal calls on your office phone.

no cursing at your desk on your phone, arguing with you man, etc etc.

even if you have no work, pull up a random excel spreadsheet so when someone comes around you can minimize the internet.

have your true friends OUTSIDE THE OFFICE....keep things separate....

understand..... racism is alive and well.

Some of the things...white people can get away.... with ..... a black sister never will

Don't give "them" ammunition to use against you. Even if "they" don't like you, if you are phony professional, do your work, are dependable, are not on the phone chatting all day or online....they can't do nothing to you.

But if you are always late, take long lunches, always calling out with issues, don't do your work, always on social calls, you MAKE IT EASY FOR THEM TO FIRE YOU, or justify not promoting you.

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